Music

Course Availability

Band 9 560020 1.0 Cr. 9

The study, rehearsal, and performance of contemporary and classical band literature and marching techniques are emphasized. Students are offered the opportunity to develop their musicianship through individual and group instruction, solo performances, sight reading and conducting. The band performs at concerts, community functions, and festivals. All members of this ensemble also perform in the marching band and pep bands.

Prerequisite: Audition and instructor approval.  Meets A day all year. 

Choir 9  560040 1.0 Cr. 9

Freshman Choir has a two-fold emphasis: performance of worthy choral literature and singing for enjoyment. Students should be willing to improve their individual singing abilities and to contribute to the overall improvement of the choir. The choir performs at school and community functions, and concerts.

Prerequisite: The ability to sing with reasonable pitch and tone quality. Requires instructor or counselor approval. 

String Ensemble 9 560061 1.0 Cr. 9

The study of contemporary and classical orchestral literature is emphasized. Students are offered the opportunity to develop their musicianship through individual and group instruction, solo performances, sight reading and conducting. The ensemble performs at concerts, school functions, and festivals. This course is for string players, not woodwind, brass or percussion. Prerequisite: Audition and instructor approval. Meets B days all year. 

Band/Choir/Strings 9 560055 1.0 Cr. 9

Rehearsal days to be determined by the respective directors.

Prerequisite: Same as Band, Choir or String Ensemble. All members of this ensemble also perform in the marching band and pep bands.  

Band  560025 1.0 Cr. 10,11,12

The study, rehearsal and performance of contemporary and classical band literature and marching techniques are emphasized. Students are offered the opportunity to develop their musicianship through individual and group instruction, solo performances, sight reading and conducting. The band performs at concerts, community functions and festivals. All members of this ensemble also perform in marching band and pep bands.

Prerequisite: Audition and instructor approval. Meets A day all year. 

Choir 560052 1.0 Cr. 10,11,12

Concert Choir has a two-­fold emphasis: performance of worthy choral literature and singing for enjoyment. Students should be willing to improve their individual singing abilities and to contribute to the overall improvement of the choir. The choir performs at school and community functions, competitions and concerts.

Prerequisite: The ability to sing with reasonable pitch and tone quality. Requires instructor and counselor approval. 

Band/Choir/Strings 560066 1.0 Cr. 10,11,12

Rehearsal days to be determined by the respective directors.

Prerequisite: Same as Band, Choir or Orchestra. All members of this ensemble also perform in the marching band and pep bands. This course is available to sophomores, juniors and seniors only. 

String Ensemble 560065 1.0 Cr. 10,11,12

The study of contemporary and classical orchestral literature is emphasized. Students are offered the opportunity to develop their musicianship through individual and group instruction, solo performances, sight-reading, and conducting. The ensemble performs at concerts, in-school functions and festivals. Winds, brass, and percussionists from the band are accepted by audition held in the spring of the year prior.  These wind/brass/percussion students must additionally be enrolled in a band course.

Prerequisite: Audition and instructor approval. 

Piano Lab I 560104 1.0 Cr. 9,10,11,12

Piano Lab I is an introductory class that teaches basic piano playing techniques and music theory. The study of basic keyboard skills, technique, reading pitch and rhythm, and keyboard theory are emphasized. This class is highly recommended for those students who wish to pursue a career in music or a musically related field. This class is also recommended for those students interested in learning about the keyboard and do not have the opportunity to study privately because of a lack of an instrument or family financial constraints. Students are expected to perform for the teacher, but will not perform in front of or for the entire class. 

Prerequisite: This class is designed for students who have little or no prior keyboard experience. 

Piano Lab II 560105 1.0 Cr. 10,11,12

Piano Lab II is a continuation of Piano Lab I on a more advanced level. The study of keyboard skills, technique, music reading, and keyboard theory will continue as emphases of the course. This class is highly recommended for those students who wish to pursue a career in music, a musically related field, or is interested in further development of keyboard skills.

Prerequisite: Piano Lab I and/or instructor approval. 

Voice Lab I 560108 1.0 Cr. 9,10,11,12

The purpose of this class is to help the student become a better vocal musician. Vocal technique, sight-reading, note writing and reading, vocabulary, diction, and other related subjects will be the major emphasis of this course. Be prepared to sing in class every day, as a large group and individually. Students will gain experience in singing music of various styles and languages.

Prerequisite: Interest in developing one’s voice toward the goal of good ensemble and solo singing. 

Music Literature 560106 1.0 Cr. 10,11,12

The course is designed to increase and improve the student’s understanding and enjoyment of music through intelligent, directed listening habits. Most of the class time will consist of listening to a wide variety of recorded examples with the purpose of becoming acquainted with the form and style of representative composers. Students are highly encouraged to discuss their perceptions of the listening examples. While much of the attention is given to more recognized composers, study of all types of music are included.

Prerequisite: An interest in listening to and studying all styles of music.

Honors Music Theory I 560203 1.0 Cr. 9,10,11,12

Honors Music Theory I is an enriched college level course that focuses on the fundamentals of music composition (notation, rhythm, scales, chords, and SATB part writing.)  A major emphasis of the course, along with the study of composition, will be the improvement of the student’s musical literacy. This will be accomplished through the use of sight-singing exercises on solfeggio syllables, and dictation. Theory I is highly recommended for those students who may wish to pursue music in college or on a serious avocational level.

Prerequisite: Ability to perform music vocally or instrumentally.

Honors Music Theory II 560206 1.0 Cr. 10,11,12

Honors Music Theory II is an enriched college level course dealing with the further study of musical composition techniques. Students will begin to refine part writing procedures for SATB choral ensembles. An emphasis of the course, along with the study of composition, will be to continue the improvement of the student’s musical literacy. This will be accomplished by more rigorous sight-singing exercises on solfeggio syllables and through the means of dictation.

Prerequisite: Music Theory I. 

AP Music Theory 560209 1.0 Cr. 11,12

AP Music Theory is an advanced placement college level course dealing with the further study of musical composition techniques. Students will have gained refined part writing skills from Music Theory 2. They will now transfer those skills to larger choral compositions with text, a Woodwind Quintet, and/or a Brass Quintet. The students will also have the opportunity to experiment with the twentieth century compositional technique of twelve tone writing and an introductory unit on counterpoint. An emphasis of the course, in addition to composition, is the continual improvement of student’s musical literacy. This is accomplished by more rigorous sight-singing exercises on solfeggio syllables and through the means of dictation.

Prerequisite: Music Theory 2. 

Honors Jazz Improvisation and Arranging I 560101 1.0 Cr. 10,11,12

This course is designed for the student who is interested in the only true American musical art form – Jazz. The fundamentals of improvisation, scales, chords, patterns and clichés will be stressed. Individual expression in the jazz idiom through the use of recordings and/or live ensembles and listening to good jazz music will also be included. This will be done in class and as part of outside assignments. The writing of acceptable music manuscripts, both original and transcription, will be an integral part of the course. Community resources will also be tapped.

Prerequisite: Music Theory I and instructor approval. 

Honors Jazz Improvisation and Arranging II 560102 1.0 Cr. 11,12

This course builds upon the foundations established in Honors Jazz Improvisation & Arranging I.  This course will review all concepts previously introduced in Level I, while expanding more in depth on jazz harmony and theory.  The writing and transcription of jazz solos will be an integral part of this course.  Students will successfully be able to compose and arrange music for jazz ensembles by the end of the course.  Listening to jazz, both live and recorded, will occur throughout the class.  Community resources will also be tapped.

Prerequisite: Honors Jazz Improvisation & Arranging I / Music Theory.  

Wind Ensemble 560602 1.0 Cr. 10,11,12

This advanced level course is designed for the abilities and development of the most accomplished wind and percussion students. Smaller in size than either concert bands, this ensemble will place only 1-2 players on each part, thereby demanding a higher level of responsibility and performance from each individual member. Course material will be designed to advance the student’s existing skills and expose him/her to advanced musical literature and theories. All members of this ensemble also perform in marching band and pep bands. Students will also have the opportunity to participate in jazz band, “pit” orchestra, chamber ensembles, and various musical festivals and events. Enrollment in this course is based upon an audition held in the spring of the year prior.

Prerequisite: Audition and instructor approval. 

Percussion Lab 560103 1.0 Cr. 9,10,11,12 

Percussion Lab is an introductory course that applies the standard drum rudiments to basic drumming techniques. Students will engage in individual and group drumming, along with a study of the various types of percussion instruments, and world drumming traditions. This class is designed for students without prior formal percussion training.